Chicago Blackhawks targeting star free agent to pair alongside Connor Bedard

The Chicago Blackhawks spent a lot of capital on veterans last July, and it hasn't improved the team at all.

Once again in line for a possible lottery pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and once again bottom of the Central Division.

The Hawks are now 21-44-9 under Interim Coach Anders Sorensen, and the team could use an injection of talent.

While drafting talent like Michael Misa ensures stability of the lineup in the future, they have to consider now, and someone whose seen the postseason before. That could come in the package of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.

Marner is due a raise and could end up pricing himself out of Toronto due to a tight salary cap situation. Marner at the moment makes $10.93 million AAV NHL Insider Steve Dangle of the SDPN Podcast believes his next contract will be $14 to $16 million AAV.

A term that the Blackhawks could afford, given that at the moment they now have $39 million in salary cap space.

The only issue the Blackhawks could run into is the fact that Marner could seek out a contender to play for, instead of a fledgling franchise like the Hawks.

However, selling Chicago, the United Center, and Connor Bedard should be easy for GM Kyle Davidson.

The Blackhawks and Maple Leafs have a history in trades, and the history behind each original-six franchise is seductive depending on the NHLer in question.

The only question is, will Mitch Marner, a Markham, ONT native find Chicago an alluring city to land his elite skill in next?

This season with the Maple Leafs he's scored 91 points (23 goals, 38 assists) in 73 games.

Given how stingy GM Brad Treliving is, the Maple Leafs' loss could be the Blackhawks' gain in July.